Edition No. 90
October 6, 2026
Everything the short-term-rental business needs to know today.
Also filed
- Exposed
Data breach at third-party SMS provider may expose Airbnb data
A security breach at an unnamed third-party SMS service provider has allegedly exposed user data linked to major platforms, including Airbnb and Uber. According to a report by Cybernews, security researchers identified claims that the compromised database contains verification codes and communication logs. The incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of consumer data when shared with external communication vendors.
- World
Western Australia opens tender for Perth Aboriginal short stay facility
The Western Australian Government has opened a request for tender to find a service provider for the Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation facility. According to state officials, the project is designed to offer safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable temporary housing for Indigenous visitors traveling to the metropolitan area. The procurement process will select an operator to manage the daily services and support systems.
- World
Airbnb.org partners with Rotary to house displaced Australians
Nonprofit organization Airbnb.org has teamed up with Rotary to provide emergency housing for displaced people in Australia. According to a report by Forbes, the partnership leverages Airbnb's network of hosts to offer temporary, free accommodation to individuals and families who have lost their homes due to crises. The initiative aims to bridge the urgent shelter gap using local community resources.
- World
Joe Riley named Casago chief executive after Vacasa transition
Joe Riley has taken over as the new chief executive officer of vacation rental management company Casago. According to shorttermrentalz.com, the executive appointment follows a transition period from rival property management firm Vacasa. Riley will oversee the brand's operations and growth strategy as the short-term rental sector continues to consolidate and professionalize.
- Markets
Founder-owned platform Pavilion launches with 5,000 homes
A new national vacation rental platform named Pavilion has launched with a starting inventory of more than 5,000 homes. According to Pulse 2.0, the company is the first founder-owned national vacation rental brand of its scale. The business model aims to provide a direct alternative to existing corporate-backed property management platforms by keeping ownership in the hands of its original operators.
- Platforms
Airbnb sets deadline for host-only service fees in Europe
Airbnb is transitioning all European Economic Area and Switzerland hosts to a single host-only service fee model on October 13, 2026. According to VRM Intel, the upcoming deadline marks the final phase of the platform's restructuring of its commission system in Europe. Under this model, the guest service fee is removed entirely, and the host pays a flat fee, shifting the transaction cost structure for regional operators.
- Exposed
Real estate firm challenges Airbnb over the acronym BNB
A real estate company is fighting Airbnb's efforts to control the term "BNB," according to legal filings reported by Law360. The property firm argues that the online giant cannot monopolize the widely used acronym, which has long stood for traditional bed and breakfasts. The dispute centers on whether the three-letter shorthand remains generic industry terminology or has become a proprietary brand identifier.
- The Money
UK tax changes could slash holiday let profits by 96 percent
Reclassifying qualifying holiday lets as second homes in the UK could reduce the annual profit of an average managed property by 96 percent, according to data modelling published by vacation rental agency Finest Retreats. The firm analyzed the potential impact of the proposed fiscal changes on property owners, warning that the tax shift could severely damage the viability of short-term rentals across the country.
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